Model year record

1990 Ford Tempo

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 174 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition2183,000 mi
Seat belts1655 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch14
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum13
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly5
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4
Tires4
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Exterior lighting: headlights3
Power train: automatic transmission3
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Seat belts: front: webbing3
Seats: front assembly: recliner3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Vehicle speed control3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor3
Electrical system: wiring2
Engine and engine cooling255 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights2
Seat belts: rear/other2
Steering2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Air bags: frontal1
Child seat: handle (infant)1
Electrical system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Power train155 mi
Seat belts: front181,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Service brakes, air: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, air: slack adjusters1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: linkages1
Structure155 mi
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.